Hewitt Grant, who bred the dogs, was arrested Thursday and charged with maintaining and owning equipment and dogs for baiting and fighting, and 73 counts of animal cruelty, Polk County deputies said.

Grant, 38, was being held on $52,000 bail. It was not known if he had an attorney, and there was no published telephone listing for a Hewitt Grant in Polk County.

Deputies Thursday raided a mobile home, uncovering horrific conditions where dogs lacked food, water and shelter and were attached to heavy chains. Many of the dogs were missing ears and fur, one was missing a nose.

Deputies also found "cat mills," where smaller animals are caged, just outside of a dog's reach. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said these devices train the dogs to be more aggressive, along with the massive chains used to tie the dogs to posts.